Ukraine

Images of a Putin alongside leaders of other large countries, signing economic deals, will reinforce Russia's argument that it doesn't need the West. It's a seductive view, but a superficial one, say analysts.

No new trade deals or policy changes came out of Putin's visit with the Italian premier. But Russia sees his state visit as another step towards outlasting European resolve on sanctions against Moscow.

In Ukraine today, UN Ambassador Samantha Power reassured the country that the 'US stands with you.' Meanwhile, the US ambassador to the Vatican urged the pope to call out Russian actions more pointedly.

The country's traffic police are notorious for pulling motorists over to extract bribes. Following a model that worked in Georgia, Ukraine is terminating the entire department and replacing them with new, Western-style patrol cops.

The Kremlin has long denied having troops deployed in Ukraine, despite recurring evidence thereof. Putin's decision to classify information about military casualties during peacetime "special operations" may be meant to end further questioning.

Gagauzia, an autonomous region in southern Moldova, looks to Moscow before the West, much as Ukraine's restive east does. And the poor, agricultural region could show the problems a federalized Donbass might face.

In the past, Russia was an empire, then a communist colossus, then a 'defeated' power expected to adopt Western ways. But current tensions with the West are fostering what may be the birth of a distinct Russian nationalism.

Poles have joined critics in Moscow and eastern Ukraine in opposing a new Ukrainian law that would grant World War II-era nationalists an honored status. The nationalists killed tens of thousands of Poles during the war.

The Kremlin may use the pomp and circumstance of the annual celebration to improve its own image. But the day is also dear to average Russians – who see Western leaders' decision to stay away as offensive.

No one in Russian-speaking Kharkiv wants to follow rebels into open revolt. But locals say Kiev has no idea how badly it's aggravating the region with its initiatives, including the 'Great Wall of Ukraine.'

The foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine on Monday called for incremental steps to de-escalate the fighting in eastern Ukraine. But the two sides have yet to agree on a long-term political settlement.

At least seven soldiers were killed amid shelling overnight near rebel-held Donetsk. The flare-up comes as foreign ministers from Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany meet in Berlin to address the violence.

President Poroshenko fired Igor Kolomoisky from his position as governor of Dnipropetrovsk today. Kolomoisky used his political power and personal battalions to seize the state oil company's offices in Kiev last week.